The following members of the university's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Council, who will serve through 2025, were selected based on their knowledge and years of experience as well as their commitment and leadership toward advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Co-Chairs
Kelvin Rutledge
Interim Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Brandon Hutchinson
Faculty Fellow;
Racial and Intersectional Justice Group (RIJG)
Council Members
Betsy Beacom
Integrated Communications & Marketing
Colleen Bielitz
Academic Affairs
Laurie Bonjo
Counseling and School Psychology
Cindy Cardozo
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Eric Lessne
Facilities Operations
Chris Piscitelli
Student Affairs
Elizabeth Rhoades
Counseling and School Psychology
Riyanna Singleton
Student Government Association
Vu Trieu
Information Technology
Ayanna Walker
College of Health and Human Services
Advocating for the Southern Community
Under the leadership of and in partnership with the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the DEI Advisory Council advocates for members of the Southern community by doing the following.
- Elevating important diversity, equity, and inclusion issues to the vice president of the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the president
- Providing, in partnership with the Division of DEI, consultation and leadership on current and new initiatives and learning opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and alumni
- Advising the Division of DEI on best practices and approaches for creating a more inclusive and equitable campus community toward attracting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff, and student body
- Recommending, based on information gathered from their respective divisions, departments, and communities of identity, best approaches to ensure ongoing DEI efforts are effective